Teen-founded kosher café focused on body positivity

There was a time when Jewish teen Molly Joseph found herself at rock bottom. Diagnosed with a severe eating disorder at age 16, she left high school soon after and began a journey not just towards healing, but transformation.

Now, at just 19 years old, Joseph is the founder and owner of Be Bowld: a kosher, plant-based açai, smoothie and raw dessert bar in its new location in Caulfield North.

“Be Bowld is a physical manifestation of my healing journey,” shares Joseph. “Through my struggles with food, I wanted to rebuild my relationship with eating and create a space for others to feel encouraged and hopeful.”

While only a teenager, Joseph is full of passion and ambition. “At 16, my job after leaving school was at Boost Juice, where I was trained and eventually promoted to manager at 17,” she says. “That experience sparked something in me. It showed me what I was capable of and the impact of connecting with people. It gave me the confidence to launch my own concept for a new kind of wholefoods café.”

Founded and launched when she was just 18, Be Bowld serves nutrient-rich meals inspired by Joseph’s favourite foods, made in-house using natural and organic ingredients.

“I really enjoy the creative process of inventing new recipes, along with the many spectacular failures and successes. The satisfaction of launching a new menu item when it is ready to share with our community is always super exciting,” Joseph said.

Joseph’s vision for Be Bowld goes beyond food – with handwritten affirmations on takeaway packaging to empowering messages on the café walls – the space is designed to uplift and support mental health.

“At Be Bowld, we believe health is a feeling, not a look,” she says.

“I wanted to create a safe space that celebrates food as joyful, nourishing and liberating.

“A place where no one feels judged. It is authentic, it is human, it is moving, and you feel it the moment you walk through the door.”